How many shrimps do you have to eat, before you make your skin turn pink?

[bakucchan]

[Bakugo's finally gotten his provisional license, but there were still things he-- and Deku both needed to learn. Save to win, win by saving people. That motto was something that the two of them had on their mind ever since, the seed All Might planted being nurtured and growing as the two went through more experiences and learned more about one another but All Might had an idea to help it grow more. Deku was of course doing great in strides of thinking about saving people before anything else-- but he was still too soft at times and needed to learn more about controlling his power better and being able to let loose without holding back. Bakugo was good at controlling his power and not holding back, but he still needed to learn to be softer around the edges and care more about the people around him. Of course it's easy to tell these two these things or teach them in more conventional ways.. but All Might wanted to teach them through experience. With something a little more hands-on.

So he called the both over to the lounge one afternoon to meet one of his hero friends, who held a hand out to both of them at the same time for a shake. They both took it, thinking nothig of it and as soon as they did something strange happened... they blacked out for a few seconds, and woke up on the opposite end of the couch.

Next to themself.

They had been switched to each other's bodies.

Of course Bakugo screamed, something along the lines of "YOU TRICKED ME?! YOU PIECE OF SHIT RETIRED HERO?!" but it was met with a stern look and All Might explained that it was special training to help the two better understand each other. They were told it also counted for extra credit but if they let it slip that their bodies were switched, they'd fail. So now.. the two of them are sitting in Deku's dorm in dead silence, as they both try to figure out how the fuck they're supposed to do this.

It's only for a week, but it's going to be the longest week of their entire life.]

Comments

me at the start of rping bakugo: gosh i hope i can pull off introspection with him

[bakucchan]

[Bakugo sits there silently for a few more seconds, unable to hide his expression as much as he'd look back on this and beat himself up over showing weakness so easily. The two were at a much better standing with each other, but they still aren't quite at a point where they can just... show their insecurities to each other without it all exploding at once, or talk out their feelings without it starting off as a fight.

Maybe that's why this training was happening? They were told to build each other up to become the greatest heroes... they should start taking it more seriously, sometime.

Sometime.... but not right now.]

You...

[Bakugo finally says something, and he takes a deep breath between his sentence to keep himself steady so he doesn't say something he regrets.]

...you've been holding back. When we fought each other, that wasn't all of your power was it?

[It's not an accusation, as if he's angry about the thought of Deku holding back against him. Rather it's more like astonishment, and maybe a little bit of jealousy. He put his all into that fight and almost lost with the power he was born with, the power he worked on his entire life. Deku had been given this power to stand in the ring, and become the next Symbol of Peace and Bakugo understands that now but... he can't help but feel envious. If he was given One for All instead of Deku....

....ironically, he'd probably refuse it.]

[mightdoriya]

[It's hard to say what exactly keeps Izuku as silent for as long as he is, one hand reaching up to grip the front of his shirt at his chest. He's not looking at Bakugou directly anymore.] When we fought...I was using One For All at 8%. It's the limit of what I can use right now.

[bakucchan]

[Hearing that... is both a shock, piercing him right through his chest and yet it's not surprising in the slightest. It's got to be a horrifically powerful Quirk for All Might to become such an awe inspiring hero, and when you think about the fact that he blew his bones up at the start it makes sense that it was such a drastic change in power.

But only 8%? He could just barely defeat Deku at 8%?]

....you would've killed me if you used 100%.

[Bakugo says that through a grimace, and he drops his gaze towards the ground. He has a long way to go... and it starts here.]

[mightdoriya]

...Yeah. [He clenches his fists tightly. He's not sure Bakugou understands, but...using One For All at that level of strength is something even All Might reserved for emergencies only. Hell, even beyond that he'd been known to push himself...just taking into account his battle that cost him the last remnants left of his power.] I'm getting stronger, but it's going to take time.

1/2

[bakucchan]

[There's a few seconds where the room is completely silent after he says that. Bakugo doesn't understand it fully- how could he? Even having it explained to him it's impossible to understand without being in Deku's shoes.

But it does help, a little, being able to borrow that power for himself.]

...you're already plenty strong.

[Bakugo mumbles that, as he pulls himself up to his feet again finally. He doesn't say any more than that or elaborate on anything else, instead moving to stand in a fighting stance again. He closes his eyes, taking a deep breath as he goes into Full Cowling again. This time he's determined-- determined to get stronger. Determined to prove to All Might that he's worth looking at the same way as Deku. He's going to be the number one hero, after all.

Even if he has to face a Deku at 100% later, he'll get stronger so he can face him head on and win. Even if he has to fight at 200%.]

Now... come on, Deku...

[bakucchan]

---if you look down on yourself, then you're looking down on me!

[He suddenly charges at Deku, speed much faster than he's ever been used to before, his step a little unstable but his expression is one of resolution as One for All flashes through his body.]

[mightdoriya]

[Needless to say, despite knowing him as well as he does himself at this point, Izuku wasn't expecting Bakugou to charge him like that. The speed is blinding compared to normal, but he's just barely able to dodge it...and he realizes that without the speed One For All gives him, he's going to be in a tough time figuring out how Bakugou uses his Quirk to get him around so quickly. It's easy to figure out as a concept, but the nuances are what will trip you up...] Kacchan, h-hang on! I haven't even tried to use your Quirk yet!

[bakucchan]

[Deku dodges just in time, but Bakugo isn't going to back off so easily. Though the problem is that-- it's like running on a treadmill, going much faster than the setting he's used to and he can't quite reach the controls. He can't stop himself easily, so he aims at the wall to try and pivot off of it with his hand and his foot.

But the moment he holds his hand out to catch himself... he runs right into the wall instead. There's a huge impact when his body hits it, cracks forming into the wall around him and the pain hits him like a truck. It's not enough to wreck Deku's body, but it immobilizes him for a moment as he stays there in the wall, catching his breath.

But he's grinning.

This is going to take... quite a bit to get used to.]

[mightdoriya]

[He's just going to have to accept the fact that he's going to be very, very sore when he gets back in his own body. He grits his teeth and balls his hands into even tighter fists as he watches Bakugou careen his body into the wall, starting to feel a little worried. He isn't sweating...at all, yet, so how is he... ... Oh.] ...come at me again, Kacchan!

[bakucchan]

[Now he gets it.

Bakugo pries himself out of the wall, blood dripping out of his nose but he simply wipes it away before getting in position again. He doesn't plan on seriously attacking Deku, its not like he wants to kill him on accident.. he'd be stuck in his body forever, and at that point he'd rather be the one dying. But they both need to learn how to use each other's Quirks, not just him. It's not nearly as powerful as One for All, but getting a hang of using explosions to move around or to hit other people with isn't easy either.]

Shut up!

[He runs at him again, but this time is different. Rather than trying to charge straight for him, when he's about seven or so feet away he digs his right foot into the ground firmly and uses it as an anchor-- twisting his body low to swipe at Deku's feet with his left leg. He should be able to doge it... he's using the ground to slow his movements on purpose.

If he can't control the strength of his power right now, then hell control his environment instead.]

[mightdoriya]

[Thanks to Bakugou's slower movements and telegraphing the attack in advance, Izuku is able to leap over his sweeping leg and dodge the strike, intending to be on the defense for a while. He needs to be forced to move a lot to build up enough sweat to even begin to produce any sort of explosions. As for the rest...he isn't entirely sure how he does it seeing how he never explained. Maybe it's friction? Maybe it's energy he has to concentrate on transferring... Whatever the case, it's generate sweat now, use Quirk later.]

[bakucchan]

[He dodges as expected, and in retaliation Bakugo leans down and places his palm firmly against the ground to push his legs up. It kind of looks like breakdancing, the way he kicks his legs out and spins. He uses his momentum to spin back into a standing position again, that lasts a second before he goes forward towards Deku.

It's... really weird to be fighting himself like this, admittedly. But maybe that helps him to make sure he doesn't harm him as bad-- he doesn't want to have a broken leg to deal with later after all. Though that doesn't mean he's just going to keep dancing around him without actually going for him, either. He's not going to try to hit Deku, bur he will try to grab him instead. Hands reaching for his arm when he gets close enough, and if Deku doesn't make a move he'll be flung against the wall that Bakugo cracked earlier.]

[mightdoriya]

[He's fast. So fast with One For All charging his movements that Izuku doesn't have as much hope of getting out of the way this time. He could try to jerk his arm away, but Bakugou is too close. There's nowhere for him to go. So, out of reflex, he throws his palm out towards whatever part of Bakugou happens to be the closest...which is his chest, his hand hitting him flatly in the sternum. It's not a punch or even a very hard strike, but... The moment of impact causes an explosion with enough force to blow them both apart, rocketing Izuku backwards into the wall while it sends Bakugou out the other way.]

[bakucchan]

[The explosion is huge, and it sends Bakugo back hard. He has the instincts to turn his body last second, rolling across the ground to lessen the impact but it leaves him laying there, breathing heavily with burns on his chest and One for All run out for the time being.

He lifts his face just enough to look at Deku across the training grounds, wondering inwardly if he made it out fine or not. Not from compassion.. just.. it's his body... he doesn't care if Deku himself is hurt.

Though that's impressive, that he was able to draw out an explosion without an explanation. Not that Bakugo had one to give him-- it was purely instinctual. There's no planning when it comes to using his Quirk, you just do.]

[mightdoriya]

[Despite just having been blown back into the wall by his own explosion, once the smoke clears it reveals Izuku having slumped to the ground, winded but otherwise not broken any. He hadn't realized he'd sweat enough to cause an explosion of that magnitude, what the hell...it's no wonder Bakugou had been so cocky about his Quirk as a child. It's immensely powerful with little effort needed to make the power come out...but it's also volatile, dangerous. It's a wonder he hadn't gotten himself hurt more than he had. He lifts his head shakily, looking across the field to where Bakugou was knocked back.] S-sorry, I didn't mean...

[bakucchan]

...sorry?

[Bakugo says that through a shaky breath, and he slowly pushes himself up to his hands and knees. He coughs, spitting out onto the ground from the impact and a grin spreads across his face.]

Shut up... we're not done here yet.

[Staggering, the teen pulls himself up to his feet, his breath deep and hoarse. The front of his shirt is entirely ripped and ruined, exposing the burn snaking up his collar. It hurts-- god it hurts, but it's not as bad as it looks. It's just a large first degree burn, so it shouldn't scar especially with the help of Recovery Girl.]

How'd it feel, Deku? Having that much power in the palm of your hand?

[mightdoriya]

[Seeing that huge burn on his own chest makes Izuku's stomach ache. But he tries not to focus on that too strongly, instead turning his attention to that question. How did it feel?] It felt...wild. Uncontrolled. [Like...an explosion, really.] But...it felt good, Kacchan. Really good.

[bakucchan]

Don't--

[This time, Bakugo moves without activating his quirk. Running towards Deku with his right hand balled tightly into a fist.]

---get too used to it!

[mightdoriya]

[Don't think. Don't think. Just do. Just seconds before Bakugou is on top of him, Izuku suddenly thrusts his hand toward the ground between his feet. It's a thoughtless gesture in the hopes that what he wants to happen will work, a few sparks kicking up between his fingers before he suddenly lets loose another blast that throws him straight up and away from the punch Bakugou was leveling at him. At least...it does at first. Because now that he's gone straight up, he isn't sure what to do now that he's in the air. He's used to using his legs, but he can't...so as he falls he tries to set off another explosion behind him to give himself some distance between him and Bakugou, but nothing happens. His palms spark but the explosion doesn't go off, causing him to exclaim sharply as he keeps careening through the air until he falls flat on his back a good few yards away.]

[bakucchan]

[Bakugo swears inwardly as Deku shoots himself out of the way, and he turns around to prepare for a counter attack. But rather than an angry Deku bursting at him with explosions, he turns around to watch him fall.

There's something really dark about watching yourself falling from above, hitting the ground with a loud thud straight on your back. He stares at Deku on the ground for a few seconds before he takes slow steps towards him.]

Oi, you didn't break anything did you? If you did, I'll kill you.

[He stops when he's next to Deku, looking down at him, his expression unable to mask the worry he's genuinely feeling. His brow furrowed in anger, but his eyes look concerned.]

[mightdoriya]

[Izuku groans, his breath completely knocked from his lungs for a second as he lays there staring up at the ceiling, clenching and unclenching his fists out at his sides. He's not sure why it didn't work that time... He peers up at Bakugou looking down at him, gritting his teeth for a moment.] I'm fine. [He's just winded, bruised, embarrassed...this was going to take a lot of time and effort to pull off.]

[bakucchan]

Good.

[Deku gets to have a couple more seconds of feeling ashamed, before Bakugo swings back with his right leg, landing a hit hard into his side.]

Get the fuck back up then! We only have four and a half hours left today, you shit nerd!

[mightdoriya]

Ah-! [Izuku cries out in pain when Bakugou suddenly just fucking kicks him?? But it does prompt him to sit up and push himself to his feet, swiping a hand at Bakugou but expectedly missing making contact with him since he's standing far enough away.] Alright! I'm trying, it just...it didn't work, that last time.

[bakucchan]

Why did it fail? Think about it.

[As he says that, Bakugo gets into a stable position again and activates One for All.]

I'll give you sixty seconds.

[mightdoriya]

[Izuku lifts a hand and smudges it under his nose, his gaze narrowed as he stares back at Bakugou. Why did it fail? Was he just not concentrating enough? He really just made a motion and hoped that something would happen...he tried reaching for the power, but that's not how Bakugou's quirk worked. He takes a slow breath, his brows furrowing harder.] ...remember, no punching. [He saw your fist, earlier.]